The Marine Conservation Societyhasreleased a selection of incredible ocean photography to mark World Wildlife Day on 3 March 2023. The collection celebrates the best of marine life in the waters around the United Kingdom.
Seasoned underwater photographers have captured amazing scenes of UK wildlife to inspire others to get involved in conservation. While the images below show the colourful and curious world under the surface of the UK’s seas, these fragile ecosystems are in urgent need of protection and restoration.
For divers and snorkellers, the Marine Conservation Society’s Seasearch programme is a great way of giving back and exploring the UK’s waters. Seasearch volunteers conduct underwater surveys, providing an insight into the state of the UK’s seas.
The Marine Conservation Society campaigns for clean seas and beaches, sustainable fisheries, and protection of marine life. Through education, community involvement and collaboration, the charity raises awareness of the many threats that face our seas and promotes individual, industry and government action to protect the marine environment.
Edible crab, Berwickshire Marine Reserve
An edible crab (Cancer pagurus) photographed at St Abbs, in theBerwickshire Marine Reserve, United Kingdom. Photo by Georgie Bull/Marine Conservation Society
Bobtail squid, Loch Long
A close up image of the eye of a tiny bobtail squid (Sepiolida), photographed at Loch Long, United Kingdom. These squid are very small; usually no bigger than a golf ball. Photo by Mark Kirkland/Marine Conservation Society
Firework anemone, Inveraray
Firework anemone (Pachycerianthus multiplicatus) photographed at Inveraray, Loch Fyne, United Kingdom. Photo by Dan Bolt/Marine Conservation Society
Compass jellyfish, Cornwall
Compass jellyfish (Chrysaora hysoscella) photographed at Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Photo by Martin Stevens/Marine Conservation Society
Wolf fish, Berwickshire Marine Reserve
A pair of wolf fish (Anarhichas lupus) peer out of a gap between the rocks at Berwickshire Marine Reserve, United Kingdom. This image is unusual in that wolf fish tend to live alone. Photo by Kirsty Andrews/Marine Conservation Society
Common sunstar, Shetland Islands
A common sunstar (Crossaster papposus) photographed in a kelp forest at Levenwick, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom. Photo by Billy Arthur/Marine Conservation Society
John Dory, Dorset
A John Dory fish (Zeus faber) photographed in Dorset, United Kingdom. The eye spot on the side of this species helps to confuse its prey. Photo by Georgie Bull/Marine Conservation Society
Variable blenny, Devon
A variable blenny (Petroscirtes variabilis) is a relative newcomer to UK waters, having previously only migrated from the Mediterranean Sea during the summer months. This individual was photographed at Babbacombe, Devon, United Kingdom. Photo by Dan Bolt/Marine Conservation Society
Painted top shell, Shetland Islands
This mollusc appears to be feeding a sea-mat; a type of kelp-encrusting bryozoan. Just visible is an eye poking out of the mollusc's shell. Photographed in the waters around the Shetland Islands, United Kingdom.Photo by Billy Arthur/Marine Conservation Society
A basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) comes up to the water surface near to the Isle of Coll, Scotland, United Kingdom. Photo by Mark Kirkland/Marine Conservation Society
Curled octopus, Shetland Islands
This spot underneath Toft Pier, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom, provides excellent shelter for marine life. It is a perfect place for a curled octopus (Eledone cirrhosa) like this one to be safe, and hunt for prey. Photo by Billy Arthur/Marine Conservation Society
Hermit crab, Shetland Islands
A tiny but colourful hermit crab (Paguroidea) sits on a piece of kelp in the shallows in Shetland, United Kingdom. Its shell is covered in life, such as lamp shells, pink encrusting algae, and a top shell. Photo by Kirsty Andrews/Marine Conservation Society
Angler fish, Chesil Cove
An angler fish (Lophius Piscatorius) photographed at Chesil Cove, Dorset, United Kingdom.Photo by Jon Bunker/Marine Conservation Society
Slender sea slug,Shetland Islands
A slender sea slug (Facelina auriculata) is quite rare to see in UK waters. The Scottish coasts and Shetland are full of kelp forests, and home to a wide range of different species. Photo by Billy Arthur/Marine Conservation Society
James Cutmore is the picture editor of BBC Science Focus Magazine. He has worked on the magazine and website for over a decade, telling compelling science stories through the use of striking imagery. He holds a degree in Fine Art, and has been nominated for the British Society of Magazine Editors Talent Awards, being highly commended in 2020. His main areas of interest include photography that highlights positive technology and the natural world. For many years he was a judge for the Wellcome Trust's image competition, as well as judging for the Royal Photographic Society.
